2. Chinese medicine is an ancient art of healing dating back to 2500 BC. Herbs help restore balance to the person.

3. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Chinese Medicine is based on the theory of elements used to explain every interaction between people and their environment. The elements are “Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.” Each element is tied to a number of items from emotions and parts of the body to human sounds, taste, seasons, and colors. Herbal remedies play an important role in creating balance.

4. Yin and Yang means everything is balanced by its own opposite. Yin is female which is dark and cold, while Yang is male which is light and hot.

5. The 5 Tastes of Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine has five tastes that range from hot to cold. Sweet tastes are heating, while sour, bitter and salty tastes are cooling. The tastes impact which part of the body the herb effects. Hot things rise or float so sweet herbs tend to effect the upper and outside parts of the body. Cold things sink so they are more effective for the lower half or inside of the body.

6. Types of Herbs: The Reishi Mushroom The Reishi mushroom helps your immune system and helps reduce the odds of cancer. It is also called “Lucky Fungus” which can be found on stumps of trees along the coast of China. The Reishi mushroom can also be found in Japan in 6 different colors.

7. Types of Herbs – (cont): Gingko Biloba Gingko Biloba is the oldest tree in the world. It can be traced back 250 millions years ago!! Gingko is well known for helping your memory, but is also known for treating: - Asthma, wheezing or coughing - Poor circulation - Depression - Inner ear problems - Memory loss Gingko is the fifth most popular prescription medicine in Germany.

8. Ginseng dates back over 5000 years in China. It was 1 st used as food, but then recognized for it’s healing properties. Ginseng is often used in tea. Ginseng is popular today for reducing symptoms of aging, improving muscle tone & memory, decreasing blood sugar levels and preventing headaches.

10.  Dong Quai (angelica) is regularly used in alternative medicine and is often referred to as a Women’s herb although angelica has many other uses.  Dong Quai is an aromatic herb found growing in Japan, Korea, and China.  Its reputation is only second to Ginseng and it is considered the ultimate woman’s tonic herb.  The Chinese use dong quai as a strengthening treatment for the heart, spleen, kidneys, and liver for both men and women. It also contains vitamins E, A, and B12.  Its ingredients stimulate the central nervous system which helps with headaches.

11. Dong Quai Is a perennial aromatic herb native to the cold, moist, mountain meadows and river banks of China, Japan, and Korea. Dong quai has smooth purplish stems and leaflets arranged in opposite rows along the leaf stalk and small, fragrant, white flowers that bloom in clusters, June to July. The plant can grow as tall as 8 feet and take three years to reach maturity.

12. Ephedra One of the most powerful & beneficial herbs used in Chinese medicine. Ephedra is controversial with its use in diet supplements. Chinese physicians prescribed ephedra tea and pills for the common cold, coughs, asthma, and hay fever. It also is good for drying up the sinuses and in treating hay fever and allergies. You will find ephedra in cold medicines because it is a good decongestant. Synthetic ephedrine compounds are widely used in cold and allergy remedies, such as Sudafed. Ephedrine increases your metabolism so the body then burn calories faster, and so ephedrine can result in substantial weight loss. The only problem was that people were using too much. Too much results in serious side effects and can even cause death.